Cammy Bell departs Hibs as Efe Ambrose call is slammed

Cammy Bell has left Hibs after the club decided against offering the back-up goalkeeper a contract extension.

The 31-year-old was signed on a short-term deal at the end of January after Scott Bain, who had joined from Dundee just a few weeks earlier, was allowed to go to Celtic as part of a three-way transfer that involved Simon Murray heading to Dens Park on loan and Scott Allan moving from Celtic to Easter Road.

Bell made two appearances for Hibs as he came off the bench following Ofir Marciano’s early red card in a 1-1 draw away to St Johnstone in March and then played the entire 90 minutes of the following match - a 2-0 win at home to Partick Thistle - as the Israeli served his suspension.

Although he performed well when called upon, the impending return from a long-term shoulder injury of Ross Laidlaw, who is under contract for another season, means Hibs have no need to offer Bell, the former Kilmarnock, Rangers and Dundee United goalkeeper, a new deal.

Meanwhile, Efe Ambrose has been left out of Nigeria’s provisional 30-man World Cup squad. The Hibs defender hasn’t featured for his national team for almost two years, but there was surprise in his homeland that he wasn’t recalled for the upcoming finals in Russia after an excellent campaign at Easter Road. Former Nigeria manager Samson Siasia said: “I think Efe’s experience and form for Hibernian is good enough to get him into the list and he would be of immense help to the Super Eagles defence at the World Cup.

“I cannot believe the coach has not included Efe. Given the problems we have in defence, the calming influence of Efe would have been perfect for us. He’s had a great campaign and is very experienced too. It’s nothing to do with sentiment – I just think Efe deserves to be in Russia. He’s been a very good player for us.”